The Enterprising Woman

I don't really consider myself a business book buyer . . .even though, technically, I'm a business owner. But I saw the author on Great Day America and really liked what she had to say. Not surprisingly, the book was just as informative and encouraging as the author. This isn't a book you just buy and put on your shelf. Use it!

Lots of books tell you how to start a business and even more show how THEY did it, but this is the first book I've found that gently told ME how I could create and start a business that was uniquely my own. After years of working for someone else, I'm now ready to jump out on my own. And I'm going to use Enterprising Woman as my primary reference book.

I admit that I wasn't all that thrilled when my aunt gave me a "book" for my MBA graduation present. It felt a lot like getting socks and underwear for Christmas as a kid when you really wanted a new bike. And after years of hitting the books, I was in no hurry to pick up another one.Needless, to say, it's taken me a few months to actually pick up The Enterprising Woman and take a look. And after reading the first couple of chapters, I realized that it's not only good, solid information-like I got in my $$$ business school-but there are all kinds of real life anecdotes of business owners (who ALL just happen to be women-very cool) talking about how THEY did it. Not only that, but the author has also put in a great deal of reference information, so you don't need to go hunting for important things like the number to the U.S. Patent Office. The Enterprising Woman turned out to be the best gift I got for graduation. I spent the money, went on the trip, already broke the CD player (oops, sorry, Dad), but I'm using this book a lot. The Patent Office number came in handy for my new software security business I'm developing, and the book's chapter on Intellectual Property really got me thinking.

The Enterprising Woman was a gift for me and my 2-year-old business. I've read it from cover to cover and it was really comforting to see that other women entrepreneurs have problems too...and they've survived. It's easy to get discouraged when you work for yourself. This book not only provides you with sage, well-researched information, but (as it promises) inspiration from lots of successful women who have gone through the same things you're bound to experience. I also like how Florence validates the qualities in women that make us good in business. You don't hear much of that these days. I've recommended this book to lots of people. If you're starting a business, YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK.